New England Patriots fans hoping to see Drake Maye in live NFL action for the first time won't have to wait much longer.
The rookie quarterback will play in the Patriots' preseason opener Thursday against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium, head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed Tuesday.
Maye won't take the field right away, however; the plan is for veteran Jacoby Brissett to start at quarterback Thursday night, per Mayo, with the rookie coming on in relief.
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"When he gets in the game, we'll talk about that, but he will play," Mayo said of Maye. "Everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game will play in the game."
While Mayo didn't reveal how the reps would be divvied up, he confirmed that all four QBs on the current roster -- Brissett, Maye, sixth-round pick Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe -- are expected to play against the Panthers.
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New England's QB strategy for Thursday makes sense based on what we've seen through 10 training camp practices. While Brissett and Maye have taken a relatively even amount of reps, Brissett has been the clear starter throughout camp, taking the first snaps of competitive periods and working with the "ones" on offense.
The Patriots have insisted they'll be methodical in Maye's development, so it's no surprise he'll come off the bench Thursday even with other top rookie QBs like Washington's Jayden Daniels expected to start in their preseason debuts.
It's encouraging that Maye is expected to play, though; on the other side, Carolina won't play Bryce Young in an effort to protect the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. With veteran QB Andy Dalton not practicing due to injury, the Patriots should expect to see plenty of rookie Jack Plummer and fourth-string QB Jake Luton under center for the Panthers.
Kickoff for Patriots-Panthers is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.